Mary Jo Moore, age 83, passed away on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Jackson Purchase Medical Center, surrounded by her family. She was lovingly known by her grandchildren as “Sugar.”
Mary Jo was born on May 11, 1942, to the late William and Mary Edna Harper. She graduated from Marion High School in Marion, Illinois, in 1959. Later, she married C.W. Moore on March 25, 1961. He was the love of her life. They would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this year.
Mary Jo was a member of the Lone Oak First Baptist Church of Paducah. She looked forward to attending the weekly worship service and Bible study. She belonged to the Lighthouse Sunday School class.
In earlier years, Mary Jo was a member of the Williamson County Historical Society and spent countless hours doing genealogical research. She had a passion for finding and piecing together family history, as well as writing and publishing books. She recently donated some of her work to the McCracken County Public Library. Mary Jo enjoyed helping people and volunteered her time at Lourdes Hospital for several years.
Mary Jo is survived by her husband, C.W.; two daughters, Cristie (Jon) Wooten and Jennifer (David) Wallace, both of Paducah; four grandchildren, Brad Wooten of Louisville, Kentucky, Matt (Chelsey) Killman of Tilene, Kentucky, Allen Wallace, and D.J. Wallace, both of Paducah; and two great-grandchildren, Colt Killman and Madelyn Killman.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Donna Atkisson, and her brother Ronnie Harper.
A funeral service will be held at 1 P.M. on Wednesday, February 18th, 2026, at the Milner and Orr Funeral Home of Paducah, with Rev. Bob Martin officiating. Visitation will begin at 11 A.M. and continue until the funeral service begins. Burial will follow at the Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of gifts to the Williamson County Historical Society Museum and Library, 105 South Van Buren Street, Marion, Illinois 62959, or to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.
Share a memory or leave an encouraging message for the family at www.milnerandorr.com.
